Our entire Lenten journey is an effort on our part to come closer to God, to come into the Light of Christ, and to repent of any wrongdoing

4th Sunday of Lent

March 22, 2009

 

The Message of Lent Has Consequences *

by Paul Rooney

 

John 3:14-21

 

Our entire Lenten journey is an effort on our part to come closer to God, to come into the Light of Christ, and to repent of any wrongdoing.  In our First Reading, we hear of the unfaithfulness of both the Jewish religious leaders and the people, who were “living out” the evil behavior referred to as darkness.  That had consequences, and the Judean folks were forced into many years of Exile.  Jesus tells us in the Gospel today that once again, 600 years later, people are living in darkness and wickedness.  To use His own words: “Everyone who practices evil hates the light; he does not come near it for fear his deeds will be exposed.  But he who acts in truth comes into the light, to make clear that his deeds are done in God” (Jn 3:20-21).

 

When we come to worship, we hold in our memories many, many saints, living and dead, canonized or not, who are examples to us of how we can come closer to God.  They witness to us about how God loves us, and how we can live out our faith.  But there’s one additional person that we all mention at least once a week, who is an example to us for all the wrong reasons.

 

When we recite the Creed every Sunday, we speak specifically about five Persons: our Father almighty;  Jesus Christ our Lord; the Holy Spirit; and finally, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  But then we name a fifth person – someone who’s had a permanent place on the lips of Christians for over 2000 years!  Do you know who it is?

 

What if I said: “suffered under … ” Or, “crucified under… ”  Then you would know who I meant! Pontius Pilate!  We say his name every week.  But what do we know about him?  What can we learn from his behavior?

 

We do know that Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judaea from 26 AD to 36 AD.  But Judaea was such an unimportant province, that no one really “sought” the position.   So the Judean governors belonged to the “second level” of the Roman elite; they had to content themselves with the “military” title of 'Prefect.'

 

Like all members of the Pontius family, Pilate belonged to this second level of high society.  Secular historians recorded that about 36 A.D., Pilate's cavalry ruthlessly slaughtered  thousands of Samaritan pilgrims, which led to such a strong Palestinian protest that Pilate was eventually recalled to Rome.  He was relieved of his command and exiled to Gaul.  Of course, pagans in the Roman Military who were in visible society but had suffered defeat and public disgrace, always despaired, and as only the Roman Military did, committed suicide.  Just like Pontius Pilate.

 

Pilate is only mentioned in The Bible regarding his involvement in The Crucifixion. But every single Sunday since our Creed became Dogma almost 1,700 years ago, the name of Pontius Pilate, and especially his dishonor, have been publicly remembered.

 

Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus told this representative of the Roman Empire that he, Jesus, had been born to “Bear witness to the truth.” And Pilate’s response was: “What is Truth?”  The truth was standing right in front of him, but he did not want to act upon it, even though he knew that Jesus was innocent.

 

Today all of us, and all of those in public authority, must answer the same question!  If we don’t, or if we answer like Pilate did, we will be exactly like him, living under rules and conducting our lives as if “expediency” or “political compromise” against moral principles were the only things that mattered.  We might be tempted to say, “Come on, let’s get this over with.  Let’s move on and forget it.”  And just like Pilate, WE will then be responsible for shedding innocent blood!

 

Today we’re witnessing politicians who “claim” to be followers of Christ, giving in to the destruction of millions of God’s children, either through abortion, or through embryonic stem cell research.  They vote as if to say: “Who knows what is Truth?”  They may claim that they are “personally opposed,” but just like Pontius Pilate they think it is more important to appease the majority.  Just like Pilate did!

 

At the same time, Sunday after Sunday, after remembering Pilate’s crime in the words of our Creed, they still have the blasphemous audacity to take upon their lips the Body and Blood of the innocent One whom Pilate had crucified that Good Friday!

 

Pilate washed his hands after sentencing Jesus to death, hoping it would excuse his own responsibility for Jesus’ death.  Sacrificing an occasional innocent person was what a political opportunist did, taking the appeasement route to keep the majority happy.

 

And what can we say for those who vote for and support such callous politicians?  Are they not voting as if to say, “What is truth?”  But our citizens today DO have choices.  Just like Pilate had a choice.  And the choices of our citizens DO have consequences. Just like Pilate’s decision had consequences.  Jesus solemnly warns us in today’s Gospel about loving “darkness” rather than “light.”  We have been solemnly warned that judgment will follow.  A vote in our society has value, and it has consequences!

 

If we have not merely failed to do good by not voting at all (which is bad enough), but have voted for pro-abortion candidates who contribute to such evil (when there is a clear alternative) – then it may be the time to reevaluate whether or not we really are coming closer to God on this Lenten journey!  We all know that there is such a thing as objective truth. 

 

We do Not want to become a Pontius Pilate, and try to wash our hands of our responsibilities.  Instead, we want to seek the Truth and repent, as we are all called to do.  This is how we come closer to God on our journey – the only consequence that matters! (+)

 

deaconpaul@cox.net

Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

 

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*  This homily is hugely indebted to Deacon Tim Killmeyer, Diocese of Pittsburgh.  I have used his idea with permission, and many of his words.  You can visit his website at www.catholicdeacon.net.